Charter and Disney Forge New Distribution Deal Bringing Hulu to Spectrum TV Customers
Charter has recently announced a new distribution deal with Disney that will bring ad-supported Hulu to all of Charter’s Spectrum TV Select customers at no additional cost. In addition to this exciting addition, Charter will also be restoring eight Disney-owned cable networks to its linear Spectrum line-up. These networks include Disney Jr, Disney XD, Freeform, FXX, FXM, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Mundo, and BabyTV, which were previously dropped in 2023.
The agreement between Charter and Disney extends a multi-year deal that was first unveiled in 2023, ensuring a continued partnership well into the future. As part of this new pact, Charter will offer Disney’s streaming services, including Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, various bundle packages, and the upcoming ESPN streaming service, to its broadband-only customers at retail rates. Additionally, TV Select customers will have the option to upgrade to the ad-free tiers of these streaming services.
Tom Montemagno, Executive Vice President of Programming Acquisition for Charter, expressed confidence in the innovative model that the companies have developed, which has already shown improvement in subscriber churn. Both Charter and Disney are committed to working together to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for their customers.
Charter has been proactive in addressing the changing landscape of the media industry, advocating for the value of linear networks as more consumers transition to streaming services. Carriage disputes have become common as programmers and distributors navigate the shift in consumer preferences.
Under the terms of the new deal, Charter and Disney will collaborate on marketing and promotional efforts, leveraging Disney’s popular characters and talent to enhance the viewing experience for customers. Sean Breen, Executive Vice President of Disney Platform Distribution, emphasized the robust and valuable combination of linear and streaming entertainment that this agreement will provide to customers.
Overall, the new distribution deal between Charter and Disney signifies a commitment to delivering high-quality content and innovative distribution models that cater to the evolving needs of consumers. By offering a comprehensive selection of channels and streaming services, both companies are focused on driving value and enhancing the entertainment experience for their customers.
